Daily Update: March 4, 2014

On their first day back training in Colorado since early February, the Rapids players and technical staff were greeted with beautiful weather for their morning session. The team moved from the turf fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park onto a grass surface as they continue preparations for the season opener on March 15 at the New York Red Bulls. They returned from nearly two weeks in Tucson and will be in Denver until next Thursday (March 13), when they travel to New York.

Training followed the normal routine: light warm up to shake out the legs after a day off, technical drills and passing work, followed by a scrimmage on a shortened field. The focus of the scrimmage was on switching the play, so there were three goals set up at each end, one in the middle and two wide on each end line. Steve Cooke ordered a 10 minute jog for a cool down before the squad went inside.

ARMSTRONG AND GRIFFITHS IN ACTION

Defenders Davy Armstrong and Brenton Griffiths took part in their first practice since the team was last in Denver, as both remained in Colorado for the Tucson trip to continue rehabilitation following surgery.

ROLL CALL

Only a couple of players were absent from today’s training, including Vicente Sánchez who was tending to some family matters. Brian Mullan remained inside to continue rehabbing his right knee. Clint Irwin (pictured right) joined training outdoors halfway through the session, having done some rehab inside on a knock suffered in the preseason game against New England in Tucson.

EDWARD AND GUZMAN RELEASED

The Rapids released trialists Albert Edward and Juan Guzman from preseason camp after returning to Colorado. Edward was selected by the team in the 4th round of the MLS SuperDraft, while Guzman was invited on trial from the Charlotte Eagles. Samuel Galindo, a midfielder from Arsenal, is currently the only trialist still training with the club.

NEW SIGNING

Midfielder José Mari was absent from training. He is back in Spain putting the finishing touches to his permanent move to Colorado. He is expected back toward the end of the week.